SIEM REAP

DOZENS of market vendors in Siem Reap province gathered on Monday and Tuesday to protest against the government-ordered removal of their stalls on National Road 6, eventually securing a reprieve from Siem Reap provincial Governor Sou Phirin.

Chhun Chamroeun, one of the protesters, said that he and others had gathered in Siem Reap town because government officials had ordered them to shutter their stalls at Phsar Leu in an effort to “clean up” the market.

Crowds gathered around Psar Leu on Tuesday morning, along with at least 50 police trying to disperse the protesters, who were blocking traffic along the town’s main artery.

After some minor scuffles between protesters and police, Sou Phirin showed up and announced the overturn of the government’s previous decision. “Now you can sell from your stalls again,” the governor told the crowd.

Siem Reap town Governor Tep Bunchhay explained that local authorities had planned to transfer the vendors to another market because their sprawling stalls were disrupting traffic.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY TEP NIMOL